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London Public Library

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Coordinates: 42°59′11.8″N 81°14′41.3″W / 42.986611°N 81.244806°W / 42.986611; -81.244806
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London Public Library
Map
LocationLondon, Ontario - Central Branch: 251 Dundas Street, Canada
Established1896
Branches16
Collection
Items collectedbusiness directories, phone books, maps, government publications, books, periodicals, genealogy, local history
Access and use
Circulation3,869,642 items borrowed 4,012,731 website visits
Other information
Budget$20,117,983
DirectorSusanna Hubbard Krimmer (CEO & Chief Librarian)
Employees223
WebsiteLondon Public Library Webpage and Catalogue

The London Public Library (LPL) is the public library system of London, Ontario, Canada. All 16 locations city-wide offer services and programs for adults, teens and children residing in London and the surrounding counties of Oxford, Middlesex, and Elgin. The branches includes art exhibits, author readings, a summer reading program, and health-oriented activities.[1]

Services

LPL provides many services to its patrons, such as the following:

  • Information and reference services to assist patrons in locating specific library materials
  • Community resources (connecting patrons to community partners who may meet the specific needs of the patron)
  • Internet access (through library computer stations and WiFi)
  • Reader's advisory services for read-alike suggestions
  • Programming for children, teens and adults (such as book clubs, activities, and discussion groups)
  • Visiting Library Services (delivery of library materials to homebound patrons or branches where they can be easily picked from by family/friends)[2]
  • Interlibrary Loans (ILLO) for materials not available at LPL but found in another library system outside of it
  • Book Club in a Bag (a bag with 10 copies of a book selected from over 200 titles for private book clubs)[3]

Borrowing - Memberships, Limitations, and Fines

In order to borrow materials from the library, both physically and electronically, a membership is needed to the London Public Library. The library card provides access to materials at any of the 16 branches in the city, as well as access to many digital resources through the library's website.

  • Library cards are free to all London and area (Oxford, Middlesex, and Elgin County) residents, excluding Woodstock[4]
  • Paid subscription membership cards are available to those who live outside of the areas mentioned above (monthly and yearly options available)

Borrowing privileges are as follows[5]:

  • A maximum of 60 items may be signed out to a patron at a time
  • A maximum of 20 DVDs may be signed out at a time (included within the 60-item limit)
  • A 3-item card, as well as a "Computer Only" card are possible in special scenarios
  • Most items can be borrowed for three weeks and renewed up to three times, provided there are no holds on them for other patrons
  • Quickpicks, adult magazines, and feature films may only be signed out for one week, with no renewals allowed on Quickpicks due to their popular demand
  • Overdue items accumulate fines at a rate of 15 cents/item daily for teens and seniors, and 30 cents/item daily for adults
  • Children's cards are fine free, only subject to costs associated with a missing or damaged item

Materials which can be borrowed include[6]:

  • Books (fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, dual language and international languages, etc.)
  • Audiobooks, books in mp3 format
  • DVDs and CDs
  • Newspapers and Magazines
  • Board Games
  • Wireless Hotspots*
  • Laptops*

*Wireless Hotspots and Laptops must be returned within the seven-day loan period to ensure charges for the device are not applied to account.

Programs

In addition to over 140 scheduled programs,[7] the LPL offers year-round programming as well. Some these programs include:

  • Book a Librarian - offers individual, 1-on-1 help for anyone seeking to learn how to use the library and/or library resources for their research. One hour sessions are available in person (or by phone or email arrangement) at the branches, with a maximum of two sessions/person each month.[8] In the first year of this pilot program in 2015, over 220 "Book a Librarian" sessions took place.
  • Library Settlement Partnership - multilingual LSP workers assist newcomers with information regarding housing, immigration, and healthcare at Jalna and Beacock locations[9]
  • The Welcome Centre - in June 2017, the LPL in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, began an outreach program that sees two mental health workers hosting a table on the 3rd floor of the Central branch every Wednesday from 9:30am-5pm.[10]

Economic Impact

Based on an economic impact model developed by the Martin Prosperity Institute, the London Public Library estimates that for every dollar invested, Londoners receive $6.68 in value. In total, the LPL creates over $102 million in total economic impact for the city each year.[11]

History

The Mechanics Institute in London,Ontario circa. 1860 1877
The Mechanics Institute in London,Ontario circa. 1860-1877

London Mechanics’ Institute was one of a series of Mechanic's Institutes that were set up around the world after becoming popular in Britain.[12] It housed a subscription library that allowed members who paid a fee to borrow books. The Mechanic's Institutes libraries eventually became public libraries when the establishment of free libraries occurred.[13]

The London Public Library opened in November 1896. The present-day Central Library was built in a remodeled space that formerly housed a Hudson's Bay outlet. The Central library opened in this location on August 25, 2002. This not only allowed for an economical expansion of the branch, but also offered the library a more central location in the city's downtown core. Additional outside donations enabled the construction of the Wolf Performance Hall, a concert hall which hosts music and theatre performances. The Central Library is also home to the Reading Garden which is equipped with seating and multiple water features.

From 2016 to 2017, the Central Branch was extensively renovated, its first major overhaul since it moved into CitiPlaza.[14] As part of this renovation, a portion of the branch's northern section was remodeled to become CBC Radio One's CBCL-FM's new broadcast studio for new local and regional programming such as London Morning and Afternoon Drive and as well as digital content.

Susanna Hubbard Krimmer is currently the 11th CEO of the London Public Library and only the second woman to hold that position.

Branches

Westmount branch of the London Public Library

The London Public Library now has 16 branches open to the public.[15] The branches are:

  • Beacock 1280 Huron Street
  • Bostwick[16] 501 Southdale Rd. W.
  • Byron 1295 Commissioners Rd. W.
  • Carson 465 Quebec St.
  • Central 251 Dundas St.
  • Cherryhill 301 Oxford St. W.
  • Crouch 550 Hamilton Rd.
  • East London 2016 Dundas St.
  • Glanworth 2950 Glanworth Dr.
  • Jalna 1119 Jalna Blvd.
  • Lambeth 7112 Beattie St.
  • Landon 167 Wortley Rd.
  • Masonville 30 North Centre Rd.
  • Pond Mills 1166 Commissioners Rd E.
  • Sherwood 1225 Wonderland Rd. N.
  • Stoney Creek 920 Sunningdale Rd. E.

One Book, One London

One Book, One London is a region wide book club that celebrates reading and brings people together as a community. London Public Library actively takes part in this program annually. [17]

  • 2018: Brother by David Chariandy[18]
  • 2017: Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper

See also

References

  1. ^ "London Public Library Programs and Events". Retrieved August 21, 2017. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ Visiting Library Service. London Public Library, November 2015.
  3. ^ Book Club in a Bag. London Public Library, September 2018
  4. ^ "Library Cards | London Public Library". www.londonpubliclibrary.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  5. ^ "Information on Using Your Library". Access Magazine: 46. Fall 2018.
  6. ^ "What Can I Borrow? | London Public Library". www.londonpubliclibrary.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  7. ^ "Programs and Events | London Public Library". www.londonpubliclibrary.ca. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  8. ^ "Book a Librarian FAQs | London Public Library". www.londonpubliclibrary.ca. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  9. ^ "Encore -- Library Settlement Partnership". encore.londonpubliclibrary.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  10. ^ nurun.com. "Library mental helpers book big numbers". The London Free Press. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  11. ^ "About My Library | London Public Library". www.londonpubliclibrary.ca. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
  12. ^ "London Public Library History". Retrieved August 21, 2017. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ Harris, Michael. History Of Libraries In The Western World. 4th ed. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1995, p. 153.
  14. ^ Dale Carruthers. "Construction has ended on a $4.5M makeover of London's Central library, its first major overhaul since it moved into CitiPlaza". The London Free Press. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  15. ^ "Locations & Hours". Access Magazine: 47. Fall 2018.
  16. ^ "Bostwick Community Centre". Bostwick Community Centre. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  17. ^ nurun.com. "What's the one book all of London should read?". The London Free Press. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  18. ^ "Details released for 'One Book, One London' initiative". 980 CFPL. Retrieved 2018-10-02.

42°59′11.8″N 81°14′41.3″W / 42.986611°N 81.244806°W / 42.986611; -81.244806

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